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New York, January 7, 2025 — Researchers at New York University (NYU) have shed new light on the surprising ways public policies can prevent suicides, revealing that initiatives not specifically aimed at mental health have a significant impact on reducing suicide rates. Published today in the Annual Review of Public Health, the findings underscore how broad, socially informed policies, from raising the minimum wage to limiting alcohol consumption, can help save lives by addressing underlying risk factors for suicide.
Public Policy’s Surprising Role in Suicide Prevention
Suicide has emerged as a leading cause of death in the United States, with rates on the rise over the past two decades. While some policies at the federal level directly address mental health, much of the responsibility for suicide prevention falls to state governments. New research by Jonathan Purtle, an associate professor of public health policy at NYU’s School of Global Public Health, reveals that many of the most effective policies in combating suicide were never designed with that goal in mind.
“These policies were intended to address other public issues, like economic security or alcohol consumption,” explained Purtle, who is the lead author of the study. “But their secondary benefit is the reduction in suicide rates. For instance, increasing the minimum wage can enhance economic security, which in turn reduces suicide risk.”
A Surge in Policy Action
The study highlights a dramatic rise in both state-level bills focused on suicide and a growing awareness among legislators. Research shows that around 2017, both the number of bills addressing suicide and public discussion on social media about the topic surged significantly, reflecting bipartisan concern and acknowledgment of the public health crisis.
“The increased legislative activity reflects the growing recognition that suicide is a major public health issue that transcends political divides,” said Purtle.
Three Key Categories of Effective Policies
The study, which analyzed over 100 studies on suicide prevention, categorizes policies into three main groups that have the potential to reduce suicide deaths:
- Policies that limit access to lethal means: These include laws requiring safe firearm storage, waiting periods for gun purchases, and the installation of barriers on bridges.
- Policies that increase access to mental health services: For example, Medicaid expansion and laws mandating insurance coverage for mental health care.
- Policies that address underlying risk factors for suicide: These include economic security measures like minimum wage laws, paid sick leave, and unemployment benefits, as well as policies that reduce alcohol and tobacco consumption and prevent discrimination.
Among these, policies aimed at improving economic security and reducing access to lethal means have the strongest evidence for effectiveness in preventing suicide.
Understanding Risk Factors and Impulsivity
The researchers also pointed to key suicide risk factors, such as poverty, alcohol access, and firearms, which have long been recognized as contributing to suicide. Economic instability, for instance, has been linked to an increased risk of suicide, making measures like paid sick leave and unemployment benefits essential in addressing this crisis.
Another significant finding is the role of impulsivity in suicides. According to Purtle, suicide is often an impulsive act, and policies that delay or restrict access to lethal means—such as firearms—can prevent these quick, irreversible decisions.
The Deadly Role of Firearms
Firearms are the most common and lethal means of suicide in the U.S., and new evidence suggests that restricting access to firearms can reduce suicide deaths. Laws that enforce waiting periods for gun purchases, set stricter age limits, and mandate safe storage of firearms have been shown to reduce suicides, especially among young people.
Calls for Further Research
While the findings are promising, the researchers emphasize the need for continued investigation into the effectiveness of certain policies, particularly in light of new initiatives like the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline. Purtle’s team is leading ongoing studies to assess the impact of this lifeline, with a focus on how investments in mental health crisis systems can help prevent suicide.
Additionally, there is a growing need to understand the impact of technology on youth mental health. With the rise of social media and other digital platforms, policies that regulate exposure to harmful suicide-related content are becoming an important area of research. However, Purtle notes that while the policy landscape is changing rapidly, evidence on the effectiveness of these new approaches will take time to gather.
“The rapid changes in policy need to be matched by rigorous research so we can understand what works to prevent suicide,” said Purtle.
Conclusion
As the research highlights, public policies that improve economic security, limit access to harmful substances, and restrict access to lethal means have an outsized role in saving lives. Policymakers have an opportunity to make a profound impact on suicide prevention by enacting laws and regulations that address the root causes of suicide—often before the issue of mental health is even considered.
The findings suggest that addressing suicide is not solely the responsibility of mental health programs, but also of a wide range of public policies designed to improve overall well-being.
Reference: “Evidence for Public Policies to Prevent Suicide Death in the United States,” published on January 7, 2025, in the Annual Review of Public Health. DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-071723-121359.
